The UCP's Alberta Pension Plan Engagement Panel announced an upcoming series of telephone town hall for Albertans to discuss findings of a recent report on a potential Alberta Pension Plan (APP). These engagement events coincide with the Alberta NDP online town hall on the same matter running next week.
In a news release, APP Engagement Panel chair Jim Dinning said the UCP town halls are the next step in public engagement following a report released Sept. 21 by LifeWorks on the feasibility of establishing an Alberta Pension Plan.
The LifeWorks report suggests an Alberta Pension Plan could secure Albertans’ pension benefits and achieve substantial savings with lower contribution rates and higher benefits for families and retirees.
“Our panel has been tasked with listening to Albertans and hearing their thoughts, views and concerns about a provincial pension plan. For something this big, Albertans deserve the benefit of a rational, adult conversation," said Dinning of the sessions starting Oct. 16. These follow the government's online survey, which has been running for a few weeks at AlbertaPensionPlan.ca
But the Alberta NDP says hosting a few phone-in town halls doesn't cut it.
“The fact that the so-called consultation on the future of the Canada Pension Plan does not include any in-person town halls is a move of pure cowardice. The UCP refuses to look Albertans in the eye," said Shannon Phillips, Alberta NDP Critic for Finance, Pensions and Insurance. The NDP reports over 17,000 Albertans responded to its online survey asking whether they are in favour of leaving the Canada Pension Plan, with nearly 90 per cent saying they want to keep the CPP here.
Alberta senior Betty Mackey spoke at a recent NDP event decrying the province considering a move away from the Canada Pension Plan, saying she relies on the CPP to help her live comfortably and independently. "I want the kind of life seniors who put 50 years into the workforce should have," she said.
According to the release, the engagement panel is gathering Albertans’ feedback on the implications, opportunities and challenges of establishing a provincial pension plan. The panel will then submit a report based on the provincewide engagement.
An Alberta Pension Plan would have to be approved by referendum before it could be implemented.
Telephone town hall dates and times
- Northern Alberta – Monday, Oct.16, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Southern Alberta – Tuesday, Oct. 24, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Calgary and surrounding area – Thursday, Nov. 9, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Edmonton and surrounding area – Thursday, Nov. 16, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Central Alberta – Wednesday, Nov. 22, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Dinning said Albertans can listen live to every session of the telephone town halls by clicking on the link provided on the website from wherever they live. For details on how to participate, visit AlbertaPensionPlan.ca
The Alberta NDP online town hall will be held on Thursday, Oct. 19 at 6:30 p.m. and hosted by Phillips and Samir Kayande, Alberta NDP Finance Critic for Fiscal Responsibility.
